How to Give a Pawdicure

Doberman’s paws are similar to a few other large breeds’. Their thick pads give their feet the appearance of walking on platform shoes. Their toes are webbed, and Dobermans’ toenails are somewhat retractable.

Nail care is vital to a Doberman’s health. Allowing nails to grow too long can cause serious joint problems and even lameness. Clipping infrequently will cause the quick to grow so long than trimming nails becomes painful for the dog.

As with other dogs, you should trim your Doberman’s toenails about every two weeks, or as needed. This largely depends on how quickly your Doberman’s nails grow, and on what types of surfaces he walks. Tile and asphalt, for example, will wear down toenails faster than grass and carpeting.

Even “tough-guy” Dobermans can get nervous when it’s nail-trimming time. But there’s no reason to make it an ordeal. First, watch your vet clip your dog’s nails. Notice how he makes quick work of nail trimming; he doesn’t dillydally.

Look at the type of equipment he uses and try to buy something similar. Many vets use a clipper fashioned like a hole punch. This is easier to control than the scissors-style trimmers.

Other vets swear by a Dremmel tool, which is essentially a mini grinder. Doberman toenails aren’t as hard so as to necessitate a Dremmel tool, but other breeds’ nails are resistant to standard clippers. This may be why your vet keeps the little grinder handy.

In addition to clippers, use a metal nail file to smooth rough edges, and keep styptic powder nearby to stop the bleeding in case you clip too deep.

When you’re ready to trim, have your Dobe lie down on his side on a tile floor. If needed, a helper can hold your Dobe on his side with his head down.

Like the vet, make the process go quickly; just look out for the tender quick, which runs down the center of the nail.

If you clip the quick, don’t make a big deal out of it, dumping sympathy on your dog. When you do that, you’re training your Doberman that it’s good for him to be nervous because he gets more attention. A simple, “You’re okay” in a confident tone should suffice.

The goal is to clip the nail short enough so that it doesn’t touch the floor when the dog is standing. This is trickier to judge on Dobes because their toenails retract.

While you’re clipping the nails, examine between the toes and around the pad for irregularities. Treat any minor cuts and ask your vet about things that don’t look right.

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